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Lots of factors going into the answer. I sized my batteries for 3x my average daily load. Then I sized my array for an average 50% daily wintertime replenishment rate. Wrong answer. Array should have been 75% replenishment. I needed to buy grid power for an equivalent of 3 days use each month...

Actually the 50A power pedestal in RV parks is generally 240/50A split phase. Otherwise twin 120/50A would require a 100A neutral. I mentioned “generally” because some RV parks are allowed to run two legs of 3-phase Wye into pedestals. Still results in 2 hot lines of 120 each , but only 208...

It’s the Victron Orion XS 12/12-50 Victron has a video on it and others has YouTube on the XS vs. TR

Regarding your Victron DC/DC charger - I remember seeing a video about an old/new version comparison on a Victron DC/DC charger. Older version got very hot. In looking at the specs for the Orion Tr 12-12/30, the efficiency is 87%, so when delivering say 360 watts, this Orion with consume 54...

It is a little confusing. There’s really no such thing as a 12v panel. What are referred to as 12 volt panels are actually panels that have an open circuit voltage, Voc, of 19-24 volts depending on how the multiple solar cells are connected inside the panel itself and the temperature. As a...

Assuming the round trip distance in 2/0 is say 10’ or less you’ll likely be okay. At 20’ round trip I’d do some careful calcs, and compare the full load IR drop to determine acceptability of 2/0.

Assuming you have a MPPT charge controller to general thinking is to connect panels in series up to the rated open circuit voltage of the controller. This reduces the amount of copper from the panels to controller. If you’re using a PWM then you’ll have to run parallel.

I’ve done a few RV solar/inverter/LFP systems and overall you have most bases covered. Your existing RV battery disconnect switch will stay in place and should cover all DC loads except the inverter. The length of most of your wire runs aren’t labeled but being an RV gives enough clues as to...

Home Depot doesn’t- just for example. They’re a distributor just like SS. Do I “like” not being informed? Of course not, but it’s pretty common practice.

Bonanza! You scored big time! Deep cycle it and see if SOC resets

I suggest your expectations are not fully in line. If you’re dealing with the likes of Amazon, I totally agree with you. Others like Home Depot are more like what you experienced with SS. Only difference is that as best I can tell from my CC postings, HD only charges after transferring to a...

Ampacity: It’s ALL about the thermal breakdown of insulation, not the melting of the conductors. Unfortunately most ampacity tables only list the common residential/commercial wiring types THHN, etc. If you want the figures for welding cable, or silicone, you’ll have to go elsewhere and yes the...

I’m planning for 2 ground mounted arrays separated by 100’. I’m including a 10 ga ground wire from each array back the the house EGC. Should I also install local ground rods at each array and ground there as well as the wired ground?

Even smaller

I also tested the Redodo mini and it passed If this is important to you, check for cold temperature charge disable and cell balancing. My Redodo didn’t have it but I didn’t really care so much.

I did my own install and had a problem. My solution was to disconnect each array by separating the series connection at the panels, check for no shock hazard, then using an ohmmeter figuring out what was connected to where.

A reasonable initial estimate of rated output is measuring the surface area of any panel multiply by 1000W/ m2 multiply by 20% efficiency.

You might consider asking Eco if you could purchase a replacement then get credit for the return. You’d have peace of mind regarding an outage and be made whole $$ when they credited your payment method.

That has not been my experience. Serious over paneling (300%) doesn’t seem to bother the ones I’ve used.

My experience stretches the spectrum from extremely satisfied to very disappointed. Ordering, shipping (panel pallet, 6 LiFePOWER4, AIO inverter, BRIGHTMOUNT, replacement parts) all excellent. Claims (shipping damage) were excellent. Tech support ran the full range, from initially (18 months...

I used a similar product and it works great. Not recommended for permanent use as it takes power from the cells 24/7 even after balanced.

I’m about to start upgrading the FW on my year old EG4 8K. Has anyone found any ’gotchas’ with the Sept 2023 release? Are there any quirks about the actual process I should be aware of? I’ve been satisfied (not ecstatic) with the 8K performance in my non grid interactive application, however I’d...

It sounds pretty reasonable to me. Any way you could automate the diesel run/stop? Would save the manual operation….

Agreed in all regards

Thanks!

Are you sure the microinverters will even turn on without an AC source to synchronize with? My experience is very limited, however on the micro inverters I’ve tried, all shut down when AC is removed and will not turn on until AC is restored.

In my experience dealing with SS for over a year now, I’ve had both excellent and terrible interactions with them. Keep a phone log of who you talked to and keep your emails. In technical support I’ve had great dealings with one or two techs,and downright terrible dealings with another two. In...

Just the connectors. As my earlier reply indicated, these were added to a shipping damage replacement shipment. Not an independent order, if that helps explain anything.

I purchased extra rail connectors through SS. You might want to try them again. I’m still finding SS support to be irregular, so another contact may result in a different response. BTW I think they were around $12 but don’t take that to the bank.

Panels usually have grounding points marked and frankly are better grounds than the BRIGHTMOUNT brackets IMO. If you are insistent on using BRIGHTMOUNT you can contact them and order additional rails, etc. I had a shipping issue and got replacements and ordered separate components. The latter...

By separating a single kit into 2 half kits, you will be short a couple pieces, like the rail grounding clip (two per kit, one for each connected double rail). Maybe not important to you. Structurally, the final mini mounts will not have as high a wind load limit per panel as the 4 panel...

Agree with @JBertok. Would also add that Victron Smartsolar charge controllers will limit battery charge current to the max specified regardless of array power input. Nice when I don’t do my math correctly.

I just today installed the first set of 4. Definitely cannot do the 45-65 install by reversing posts. BTW: the vertical main post attachment to the base has a weakness. Regardless of how tight your lower bolts are the two holes are different diameters and therefore allow way too much play. I...

I think I learned a new term’clickbait’. Being an old guy current vernacular sometimes escapes me. Back to the point - for years I wouldn’t even consider Victron. Wayyyy too expensive, blah, blah, blah…. After a couple “Bluebox” purchases (after reading the forum for the RV I purchased), for my...

Does anyone using SOLARMAN Smart show non-zero numbers on the circle graphs for PRODUCTION and CONSUMPTION? Here’s a typical screenshot of what I see I’m using an EG4 8K EXP Thanks Dennis